Carla Coupe

Carla Coupe is a member of both Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Two of her short stories -- “Rear View Murder” in
Chesapeake Crimes II and “Dangerous Crossing” in Chesapeake Crimes 3
-- were nominated for Agatha Christie Awards. Her Sherlock Holmes pastiches, “The Adventure of the Elusive Emeralds” and “The Adventure of the Haunted Bagpipes” appear in
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine.

Announcing. . .

The Adventure of the Haunted Bagpipes, in
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Volume 5.“You have heard the piping yourself?” Holmes asked.

“Everyone in the lane has heard it and is terrified. That is why they have all left.”
“Nonsense,” I said, disturbed by Holmes’ apparent acceptance of such a patently ridiculous tale. “There must be another explanation. You said the house’s chimneys are noisy. Or perhaps it is some peculiar trick of the wind carrying the sound of bagpipers playing at the Castle. Why should a ghost who has kept quiet for over a hundred years suddenly decide to return and frighten people?”

Holmes smiled. “That, my dear Watson, is what I am anxious to discover.”

The Adventure of the Elusive Emeralds, in
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Vol. 4

After leaning to light a twist of paper in the fireplace, Holmes
straightened, lit his pipe, and waited until it was drawing properly
before replying.

“You recall that jade dragon I received in this morning’s post?”

“Yes, you put it on the mantelpiece.” I looked up and gasped. “Good
Lord, it has vanished!”

“Precisely.” Holmes’ voice was filled with satisfaction. “Either Her
Grace is so brilliant a kleptomaniac that she has achieved an
unnoticed theft at 221B Baker Street or her son wishes us to think
so.”

Chesapeake Crimes: They Had It Comin'

Louisa Bea took a deep breath, her fingers tugging at the underwire poking her ribs. Buster’s eyes widened, and he set down the fork and the plate with his half-eaten pie on the trashcan lid next to the milk. His lips were shiny, his breathing rough. For the first time in her life, Louisa Bea saw desire in a man’s eyes.

She knew exactly what to do.

From “His Favorite Girl” in Chesapeake Crimes: They Had It Comin’

Twenty tales of revenge and murder fill the pages of
Chesapeake Crimes: They Had It Comin’,
including Carla’s short story, “His Favorite Girl.”

Order Chesapeake
Crimes: They Had It Comin’ directly from
Wildside Press.

Chesapeake Crimes III

He held on, panting curses and hot air onto my back, dragging me upright as he staggered to his feet. Almost a foot taller than me and at least fifty pounds of solid muscle heavier, he lifted me off my feet, swinging me toward the rail.

Ready to drop me over the edge.

From “Dangerous Crossing,” Chesapeake Crimes 3

Another of Carla’s Agatha Award-nominated short
stories, “Dangerous Crossing,” appears in
Chesapeake Crimes 3.Fifteen stories of murder and mayhem that take place in the
Chesapeake Bay region.

Chesapeake Crimes II

With a shudder, cold and hot flashing over her skin faster than a Times
Square marquee, she tightened her grip on her sweaty legs. Her cotton
shirt stuck to her back, drops of perspiration trickled between her breasts.
It was beginning to sink in. She’d killed a man.